A Brand Born from Love—and a Rescue Lab Named Louie

Native Pet co-founder Dan Schaefer didn’t set out to create a supplement brand. It all began with a dog named Louie—rescued in 2014, riddled with fleas, parasites, and a sensitive stomach. Dan and his wife were already health-conscious eaters, so when they realized there were no clean, natural supplements for dogs, they saw a major gap in the market.

Dan and his childhood friend Pat Barron officially launched Native Pet in 2017 with a mission: bring whole-food, effective supplements to pet parents everywhere. Their goal wasn’t to create just another pet product—it was to bridge the gap between food and medicine in a way that felt intuitive and beneficial for both dogs and their humans.

What Makes Native Pet Supplements Stand Out?

There’s no shortage of pet supplements on the market. So what makes Native Pet different? According to Dan and the many dog moms and dads who swear by the brand, it boils down to three major things:

Clean Labels, Real Ingredients

No synthetic vitamins. No fillers. No mystery additives. Just food-based ingredients that your dog can recognize, digest, and benefit from. For example, the Pumpkin Powder only contains:

• Organic pumpkin
• Organic pumpkin seed
• Organic apple

These ingredients are not only gut-friendly but also sourced for maximum efficacy, including added pectin from apples to soothe the digestive tract.

“If you go look at the most popular fish oils or supplements on Amazon or Chewy, you’ll see a laundry list of ingredients. Native Pet’s labels are the opposite—minimal, whole, and transparent.” – Rachel Fusaro, Pet Nutrition Advocate

Backed by Veterinary Nutritionists

Each product is formulated with board-certified vet nutritionists and food scientists, ensuring efficacy without compromising safety. Their probiotic, for example, was developed in collaboration with a leading microbiome researcher.

Palatable and Dog-Approved

These aren’t chalky tablets your dog will spit out. Instead, Native Pet uses real chicken, bone broth, and jerky-like textures to deliver supplements that double as tasty treats.

Real Food, Real Results: Native Pet’s Star Products

Let’s take a deeper look at some of Native Pet’s most popular products, including their ingredients, uses, and why dog owners love them.

Pumpkin Powder: Nature’s Digestive Hero

If there’s one product that launched Native Pet into stardom, it’s their Pumpkin Powder. Used for both diarrhea and constipation, this shelf-stable superfood is high in soluble and insoluble fiber and can be rehydrated into a puree or sprinkled onto kibble.

Real-life tip: One creative customer mixes the powder directly into a bag of kibble—turning it into “pumpkin-coated food” with zero prep time.

Bonus Benefit: Great for transitioning to new food, easing car sickness, and calming nervous tummies before vet visits.

Calm Chews: Soothe the Storm

For dogs that experience anxiety from car rides, loud noises, or separation, the Calm Chews are a gentle, natural alternative. They contain:

• Hemp seed powder
• L-theanine
• Melatonin
• Casein

Made with air-dried chicken, they avoid the starch-heavy fillers common in soft chews. These chews promote relaxation without sedation and are ideal for travel, fireworks, or crate training.

Dan’s Tip: His dog uses Calm Chews + Pumpkin Powder before a 12-hour road trip with three kids. The combo helps soothe both the gut and the nerves.

Omega Oil: Skin, Coat, and Brain Support

Native Pet’s Omega Oil stands out for what it doesn’t contain—no plastic bottle, no synthetic additives. Instead, it features:

• Wild-caught pollock and salmon oil
• Wheat germ oil
• Biotin
• Mixed tocopherols (natural preservative)

Housed in a light-blocking tin container, this product stays fresh longer and helps reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and enhance coat shine.

“If you’re feeding kibble, adding healthy fats like Omega oil is a game-changer. Real food equals real health.” – Rachel Fusaro

Yak Chews: The Dental Super-Chew

Native Pet’s Yak Chews are crafted using traditional Himalayan methods, without chemicals or artificial hardeners. They naturally soften as your dog chews, helping to clean teeth and massage gums.

Ingredients: Milk, lime (in small, safe amounts for preservation), and salt.

Pro Tip: Soak the final chunk in water and microwave it for 30 seconds—it’ll puff up like cheese popcorn for a safe, crunchy treat!